Durham fall short as Michael Richardson shines on debut

DURHAM came up short in the Clydesdale Bank 40 (CB40) clash with Glamorgan – losing by 15 runs at Colwyn Bay yesterday.

Reserve wicketkeeper Michael Richardson top scored for the visitors with 45 on his one-day debut, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Geoff Cook’s side from falling to their second CB40 defeat of the campaign.

Former England bowler Simon Jones proved Durham’s tormentor in chief as he recorded figures of 4-23 to help Glamorgan to their first win of the season.

The Welsh county, who have yet to win in the LV= County Championship Division Two, had looked unlikely to get off the mark in Group B after being bowled out for 163 in 34.3 overs batting first on a slow pitch.

But Durham also failed to cope with the conditions as they slumped to 148 all out in reply.

Jones began Durham’s slide to defeat by claiming the wickets of Phil Mustard and Ben Stokes in the space of two overs.

Mustard gave a sharp catch to Martin van Jaarsveld at slip and Stokes was plum lbw as the visitors reached 28-2 in the eighth over.

And in the next over that became 36-3 as James Harris trapped Gordon Muchall in front before Jones struck again in the following over to have Mark Stoneman caught behind.

Jones, having recorded figures of 3-18 off six overs at that stage, was replaced at the Penrhyn Avenue end by Jim Allenby who broke through to remove Dale Benkenstein via a sharp catch at backward point by Stewart Walters.

Will Smith and Richardson rallied as they put together a partnership of 39 runs in 12 overs, but that was ended in unfortunate circumstances.

A powerful drive by Richardson was deflected on to the stumps by bowler Will Owen, with Smith out of his ground.

Scott Borthwick lasted only three overs before he was bowled by Dean Cosker. Jones returned and claimed the wicket of dangerman Richardson, who went lbw for 45, and in the next over Allenby bowled Liam Plunkett as Durham slumped to 122-9.

Mitchell Claydon and Chris Rushworth threatened to pull off a famous victory but with 13 balls remaining Owen bowled Rushworth to seal the home side’s maiden win.

Earlier, Glamorgan had made an encouraging start after winning the toss but lost three wickets in the space of four overs as they went from 41 without loss to 48-3.

Both openers were out in quick succession. Captain Mark Wallace was caught behind and Gareth Rees, who made 28 off 20 balls, was caught on the mid-wicket boundary before Marcus North became Rushworth’s second victim.

Stokes struck twice in as many overs as Glamorgan struggled to 100-5. Allenby looked settled until he edged behind for 26 before Van Jaarsveld was bowled for 25.

Walters and Chris Cooke did their best to try to rebuild the Welsh county’s innings, but Glamorgan lost two wickets in consecutive deliveries from off-spinner Smith. Walters went lbw attempting to sweep while Harris went first ball edging behind.

Glamorgan’s innings went from bad to worse as Cosker holed out to mid-off off Borthwick, who also claimed the wicket of Cooke to finish with figures of 2-27 from his eight overs, but in the end their total still proved beyond Durham.